loss of life

idiomatic phrase

: death
… street robberies, often accompanied by cruel wounds, and not unfrequently by loss of lifeCharles Dickens
: incidences of people dying
In 1900 a hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, destroying the city and killing over 6,000 persons—the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster ever recorded in the United States.David H. Hickcox

Examples of loss of life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders. Becca Longmire, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025 Three men died in January, a loss of life that ties the record for suicides inside state prisons in a single month. Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025 The station mourns the loss — but not loss of life — of its former captain as the title passes on to Judd (Jim Parrack). Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025 Even before the catastrophic fires inflicted billions in damage, as well as the tragic loss of life, California was drifting toward demographic purgatory – not quite hell, but certainly not the direction that a vibrant state should be headed. Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for loss of life 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loss of life was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near loss of life

Cite this Entry

“Loss of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20of%20life. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!